Armenia to hold early parliamentary polls in December

YEREVAN — Armenia will hold early parliamentary elections December 9 after reformist leader Nikol Pashinyan’s political manoeuvring led lawmakers on Thursday to dissolve the assembly. The dissolution of parliament is a major win for acting prime minister Pashinyan whose efforts to reform the ex-Soviet country of three million have been frustrated for months by the ruling party. Pashinyan, who came to power in May after a popular revolt against the country’s old guard, said the chamber was dissolved “in accordance with law” after MPs failed to elect a new prime minister for the second time over the past week. “Today parliament is being disbanded for the first time and for the first time we will have early elections,” Pashinyan said ahead of Thursday’s vote. “We will ensure absolutely fair and legitimate elections and the rest is in people’s hands.” An agreement was reached with figurehead President Armen Sarkisian to hold the election on December 9, Pashinyan said. That date was officially set by presidential decree later on Thursday. The 43-year-old former journalist rose to power in May after spearheading weeks of peaceful anti-government rallies that ousted veteran leader Serzh Sarkisian. Analysts said the victory of the popular politician’s party in the December ballot was almost assured as Pashinyan pushes ahead with his campaign to reshape the South Causasus nation’s political landscape. “The snap polls’ outcome is pretty predictable — in December Pashinyan will be in control of parliament,” analyst Vigen Hakobyan said. Since taking office, the hero of the street… [Read full story]